J&K's Article 370 scrapped: UAE backs India, calls Kashmir an 'internal matter' and dashes Pakistan's hopes

UAE ambassador to India, Dr. Ahmed AlBanna taking note of Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, has called it an 'internal matter.'

As per international news reports, he expressed hope that this change would improve 'social justice, security, and confidence of people'

He was quoted saying, "We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace." 

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a desperate attempt took the matter to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over the removal of Article 370 from J&K. 

READ| J&K's Article 370 Scrapped, Here's What China Had To Say

Today in Jeddah, I called on the OIC to convene an emergency meeting of the OIC contact group on Jammu & Kashmir, who share our grave concerns over Indian aggression in IOK. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/y9rb44g7fW

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 6, 2019

Pakistan asks the OIC to show solidarity through action with the people of IoK by recognizing that this unilateral step by India was against the very status of IoK as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. 2/3

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 6, 2019

OIC recognizes that this aggression puts more than 1.5 billion people of South Asia at risk. I reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and that India’s hostility doesn’t give me much hope for a covenant for peace. 3/3

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 6, 2019

Interfering in India's domestic decision, Islamabad "rejected" the announcement to scrap the special provision for Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. 

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said that Jammu and Kashmir is an "internationally recognised disputed territory." 

Further added, "As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps. Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause." 

Voicing serious concern over the situation in Kashmir, China on Tuesday asked India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid actions that "unilaterally" change the status quo and exacerbate tensions between the two countries. 

Meanwhile, the US State Department had said on Monday that it was closely following events in Kashmir. "We are concerned about reports of detentions and urge respect for individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities," the department's spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control."

(With PTI inputs)